Protein Kinase C Quality Control by Phosphatase PHLPP1 Unveils Loss-of-Function Mechanism in Cancer (Molecular Cell)

PKC generally functions as a tumor suppressor. Baffi et al. uncover a quality control mechanism in which PHLPP1 opposes priming phosphorylation of newly synthesized PKC to suppress its steady-state levels. This quality control dominates in pancreatic cancer: patients with high levels of PHLPP1 and low levels of PKC have worsened survival.